Biographies

SALLY COPELAND WRIGHT—DIRECTOR, PIANO, THEORY

Sally Wright was the second student to receive the Master of Music Degree in Piano Pedagogy from Florida State University, and holds the Bachelor of Music Degree from East Carolina University in Piano Performance and Pedagogy with a minor in organ. She is a nationally certified teacher through MTNA. She has been active in the American College of Musicians for 35 years as a student, judge, chairperson and founder of three centers (Tallahassee, FL, Norfolk Academy, and currently Old Dominion University). Among awards received through the National Piano Guild Auditions as a student member, she received the Irl Allison (15 year), Paderewski (10 year), Sonata, Sonatina, Early and Late Bach Awards. She is in the Guild Hall of Fame. Sally started her early training with her mother, Betty Copeland, at the age of five. Other area teachers and mentors included Mrs. Yvonne Dawson of the Paris Conservatory and Mr. Bristow Hardin. She was selected by Charles Hardin to be a student harpsichordist for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation from 1979-1983. She has taught piano, theory and ear training at the college level for Old Dominion University and Virginia Wesleyan College and was selected as a graduate assistant for Florida State University. Sally has performed on the East Coast and in Europe for masterclasses and recitals. A church musician for many years, she is currently the pianist for the historic Corolla Chapel at the Outer Banks.

GALINA EPELMAN—PIANO

Galina Epelman, Piano. The Professional Music School, Petrogradsky District of Leningrad; B.M., Kirov Music College. Ms. Epelman has worked as a faculty member of the Petrogradsky District Music School, a private and group piano instructor and has served the ODU Community Music Academy for many years. She has participated in masterclasses with distinguished affiliated artists at Leningrad State Conservatory. Ms. Epelman has been a member of National Performers Society, Young Concert Artists, Inc., and is a member of MTNA and the American College of Musicians. Ms. Epelman is an active participant at TMTF and ODU sponsored piano competitions and scholarship auditions. Her students have recently won Glover Scholarships and four were finalists and 2nd place winners at the ODU Classical Period Competitions.

MARILYN FORMAN—PIANO, THEORY

Marilyn Forman has taught piano for the Community Music Academy at ODU for the past 21 years. She earned a Master of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania studying under Alexander Fiorillo and a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She has certification in vocal and instrumental music for grades K-12. Marilyn has served on the faculty at Old Dominion University since 1985 teaching college level group piano labs, private piano instruction, and performing as a professional accompanist for the university. Marilyn has been church organist and choir director for several churches. She performed as a guest with the USAF Heritage of America Band stationed at Langley Air Force Base and she recorded “Christmas in Hampton Roads” in 1989. She served as a member of the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra Board, and is an active member of MTNA, VMTA, TMTF, and the American College of Musicians. Since 1988 Marilyn has been the Theory Chairman for the Tidewater Music Teachers Forum, administrating hundreds of tests annually to music students in the area.

KRISTI HARRIMAN—PIANO, GUITAR

Kristi Harriman has a Masters of Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University, and her Bachelors of Music Therapy degree from Augsburg College, Minnesota, where she graduated Cum Laude. Since 1998 she has worked for the City of Norfolk Neighborhood and Leisure Services at Lakewood Dance and Music Center teaching piano and guitar in both group and private instruction to children and adults. Kristi was formerly a family counselor for Norfolk Social Services (1998-2000). As an employee of Norfolk Public Schools she has provided music instruction for St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children. Her teaching methods emphasize theory and the aesthetic benefits of music. Kristi has also taught piano and guitar lesson at the collegiate level.

OKSANA LUTSYSHYN—PIANO

Oksana Lutsyshyn received her Masters and Doctorate in Piano, Moscow State. She is a world renowned performer including performances at Carnegie Hall, soloist with the Virginia Symphony, Second Prize winner at the 1997 International Vienna Modern Masters Performers Recording Awards Competition, and Third Prize at Rome International Piano Competition among many other international accolades. After moving to the U.S. she was a Visiting Scholar at Indiana University in Bloomington. She currently teaches at the Governor's School for the Arts, ODU Community Music Academy and serves as a music director and church organist. She regularly performs with Invencia Piano Duo and Creo Modern Music Ensemble. She is fluent in three languages—Ukrainian, Russian, and English.

MARLENE M. FORD - FRENCH HORN

 

Marlene Ford, BFA, MM is the adjunct horn instructor at Old Dominion University. She is currently most active as recitalist and chamber musician in Hampton Roads and just completed a year-long series titled  "Lady Composers, Music for Horn and Piano." She performs in the Eastern Virginia Brass Quintet, the Hardwick Chamber Ensemble and the Williamsburg Symphonia. For many years Ms. Ford was a member of the Virginia Beach Pops, the Virginia Opera Orchestra and Virginia Symphony. She continues to be an award winning performing artist with Young Audiences of Virginia and the Williamsburg "Meet the Musicians" project  having created numerous educational programs over the last 20 years. Ms. Ford's principal teachers are Martin Morris of the Cleveland Orchestra and Edwin C. Thayer of the National Symphony.

BONNIE KIM—FLUTE

Bonnie Bokyung Kim began her music education at age six studying piano in Seoul, Korea. At fourteen, she began flute studies while attending school in Tokyo, and later graduated from the Music and Arts High School in Seoul. Bonnie received her Master of Music Degree from the Manhattan School of Music. She is a student of Madame Ida Ribera, Assistant to Jean Pierre Rampal. While in Paris, Bonnie attended the Conservatoire National de St. Maur and the Conservatoire du Municipal where she received the Diploma 1st Prize. Ms. Kim is a winner of the Young Artist Competition in France and Concours l’UFAM, Bellin and Nerini. She has served as a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music, and Sam Yook University in Korea. Ms. Kim has performed numerous concerts in France, Korea and the US- including performances at Carnegie Hall in 1985, 1988, and 1990. She has taught master classes in Korea and in the US, and her students have won numerous competitions at regional and national levels, including two tieing for first place in the 1997 National Flute Association’s Young Artist Competition. Ms Kim feels that her greatest accomplishments are achieved through the progress made of her students of all abilities and levels. Ms. Kim is on the faculty of Old Dominion University, Tidewater Community College and Hartwick College Music Festival.

NATALIA KUZNETSOVA—VIOLIN, MUSIC THEORY FOR STRINGS

Natalia Kuznetsova began to study violin at the age of seven. After graduation from the Ural State Conservatory in 1997, she moved to Moscow and became a member of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra "The Seasons" and the Moscow State Theater "Helikon Opera." She has performed with these groups around the world in many prominent concert halls, such as the Grand Hall of Moscow Conservatory, the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center in Taipei (Taiwan), Bolshoi Theater, and many other concert venues of Russia. With "The Seasons" orchestra Ms. Kuznetsova made several recordings for the "Mosfilm" and the "Melodia" studios. She has played in China, Great Britain, Taiwan, Italy, and Germany. Ms. Kuznetsova has completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music Education with honors at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. She won the 2002 Old Dominion University Concerto Competition and performed as soloist with the ODU Symphony. Ms. Kuznetsova was granted numerous awards, including 2002 – 2003 Old Dominon University International Leadership Award, 2001 Old Dominion University Music Department String Scholarship, 2001 –2002 Jerome J. Kern Scholarship, and 2004 - 2006 F. Ludwig Diehn Scholarship. Ms. Kuznetsova studied violin with Irina Golovanova and Dr. Vladimir Reva in Russia and Vahn Armstrong in the United States. Currently, Ms. Kuznetsova teaches Orchestra in Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Violin and Music Appreciation at Tidewater Community College, and actively performs.

DIONNE WRIGHT—CELLO, CHAMBER MUSIC


 

Cellist Dionne Wright has shared the stage with a variety of musicians including Celtic Women, Tommy Lee, Richard Marx, Kathy Mattea and Johnny Mathis.

She has performed in Bath, England, in the Soesterberg International Music Festival in Holland, as principal cellist of the Dublin Music Festival in Ireland and in the Bowdoin Chamber Music Festival in Maine. 

Ms. Wright has performed in the sections of several symphony orchestras throughout the region, including the Williamsburg Symphonia, the Virginia Symphony, and the Harlem Symphony, and currently performs with the Arte Musicale Ensemble and Hardwick Chamber Ensemble, featuring the music of living composers.

An avid teacher, Ms. Wright has served on the faculty of Chowan University, Christopher Newport University and Tidewater Community College. She currently teaches at the Governor's School for the Arts, Saint Patrick Catholic School, the Academy of Music and Old Dominion University's Community Music Division, while also maintaing a private studio.

Dionne Wright received her Master of Music Degree from the Pennsylvania State University where she was awarded a teaching assistantship under Kim Cook. Her Bachelor of Music Degree is from Ohio University, where she studied with Mark Schroeder, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. 

HYE-YUN CHUNG BENNETT—HARP, PIANO

Hye-Yun Chung began her piano lessons when she was four years of old in Seoul, Korea. Hye-Yun Chung made her Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1979, earning rave reviews in the New York Times: “Absorbing from start to finish, assertive and incisive, and she showed that she has the facility and poise to handle a demanding program.”

Ms. Bennett was a prizewinner at the Fifth International Harp Competition in Jerusalem, Israel in 1973. She received B.M. degree from Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea, and M.A. degree from California State University at Los Angeles.  She was teaching assistant to Susann McDonald while pursuing DMA degree at University of Arizona in Tucson and completed the Professional Study Plan at the Juilliard School. She was a scholarship recipient to study with Robert Pace Piano Pedagogy Course at Columbia University in 1980.  

She was a pianist for the National Opera Company in Seoul, Korea.

Ms. Bennett was an Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University teaching both harp and piano. She taught at the International Music Camp in Seoul, Korea and at Brevard Summer Music Festival in NC.

Klavier International Records Co. produced a CD album “Musical Colors” of Ms. Bennett, harpist and Wayne Hedrick, flutist, you could hear them on national radio station occasionally. She made her debut solo harp album of “French Impressionist Harp Music” by Centaur Record Co. The Musical Heritage Society produced several recordings of her performance with the New York Harp Ensemble.

She performed under Aaron Copland’s direction at Carnegie Hall in 1979.

She served as a judge for the American Harp Society’s National Harp Competitions in St. Paul, Minn., Pittsburgh, Penn. and Los Angeles, CA.

She had served as a harpist with many orchestras including Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Spoleto Music Festival and North Carolina Bach Festival in Charleston, SC and a featured soloist with symphony orchestras in Korea and in the US.

Hye-Yun was a guest artist at the Third and the Sixth World Harp Congresses  in Seattle, WA and Jerusalem, Israel.  She was a solo residence artist for the “Young Audience of Virginia”. Ms. Bennett is an Adjunct Professor at ODU teaches harp and piano. She taught at the Governor’s School.

She is a pianist at the Calvary Baptist Church, Portsmouth, VA since 2001.

MIZUKI HAMADA—JAPANESE KOTO ENSEMBLE

Mizuki Hamada, graduate of Kawasaki College of Allied Health Professions (Japan), has an acquired license as a Master Instructor from Gensosha Koto Academy (Tokyo). She has been instrumental in promoting Koto throughout Virginia since 1987. Her performances and lectures include the 30th anniversary concert of the Washington Toho Koto Society in Washington D.C., Asian Treasures from the MacArthur Memorial Special Collection, the Japanese Forum Concert sponsored by Old Dominion University and the Japan Education Culture Center Inc. at Chrysler Hall, at area High Schools and the College of William & Mary. Mizuki offers the only Koto instruction in a Virginia institution. In addition to Koto instruction, Ms. Hamada holds a degree from Norfolk State University in early childhood education, and also teaches Japanese language at Tidewater Community College.

MARILYN BUXBAUM—OPERA FOR EVERYONE

Marilyn Buxbaum received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Buffalo, and her Master Of Humanities from ODU. She has taught Opera For Everyone for 25 years at ODU and Tidewater Community College. She is actively involved as a pianist and accompanist in the Tidewater area. Marilyn serves on executive boards of the Virginia Opera and The Virginia Arts Festival, and is director of a local Klezmer Band.

DR. LEE TEPLY—THEORY, MUSIC APPRECIATION, HARPSICHORD, & ORGAN

Lee Teply has lived in Norfolk since 1986, when he came to teach music theory and music history at Old Dominion University. He started ODU's Collegium Musicum, an early instruments ensemble and, in 1988, he took over the direction of the Madrigal Singers. In addition to producing the annual Madrigal Banquets, he prepares the group for performances with Capriole and directs performances througout the state. A new facet of his position at ODU is his involvement with the Opera Workshop, for which he has conducted the productions of Dido and Aeneas, The Telephone, and Douglas Moore's Gallantry. For the Governor's School of the Arts, he has received much admiration for his direction of a small choral ensemble that has an emphasis on early music.

Dr. Teply is the Music Director at First Lutheran Church in Norfolk. He also has been associated with the music at St. Andrew's Episcopal, Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church, and Epworth Methodist Church. Before moving to Virginia, he was a full-time church musician in Lewiston, NY. His degrees in organ performance are from Oberlin Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music. He has studied conducting with William Weinert, Robert Fountain, Harriet Simons and Robert DeCormier.

As a harpsichordist, Dr. Teply played often with the Virginia Pro Musica/McCullough Chorale, and he has also played with the Virginia Symphony. For several years, he provided program notes for both the Chorale and the Symphony, and he continues to do so for the Feldman Chamber Music Society. He is a music reviewer for the Virginian-Pilot, and he has also written for Early Music America.

DALE LAZAR - PERCUSSION

Dale Lazar is our instructor of drum set, snare drum, marimba, timpani, auxiliary instruments and hand drums.  Dale has a B.A. Percussion Performance Degree from Old Dominion University and is an active performer in the Hampton Roads Community.   Dale has performed with Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Symphonicity, Virginia Winds, Norfolk Chamber Consort, ODU’s Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Choir, Jazz Combo, Theatre Department, Dance Department, Chorus and local jazz combos (John Kidd Jazz Trio) and rock bands (Mink and Cheef’s Electric Band). 

In April 2011 he composed music for and performed Where light begins – in collaboration with Megan Thompson and Jen Stone of 5th Adventure Dance Company – at Performatica in Cholula, Mexico.  In addition, he was one of the principle   accompanists for the international festival and had the opportunity to collaborate with artists from all mediums and countries as well as play some jazz with locals in Cholula.  Earlier in April, Mr. Lazar collaborated with ODU’s dance department in Rice Circle, for which he composed, performed, and built almost every instrument used. 

Mr. Lazar has accompanied for ACDFA, the annual high school dance festival hosted by Todd Rosenlieb Dance Academy, and is principle accompanist for the Old Dominion University Dance Department.
A student of David Walker, Mr. Lazar has instructed with the Community Music Division’s Summer Percussion Camps in the past and has assisted with the Governor’s School of the Arts.  He is also a student of the North Indian drums, tabla. He has studied tabla under Kumar Das and is currently studying under Pandit Samir Chatterjee from Manhattan School of Music.

STEVE LAZAR - GUITAR, SAXOPHONE

Steve Lazar, guitarist and bass instructor, is an ODU college senior completing his degree in Music Education. Steve is proficient at electric and acoustic bass at all levels in classical, pop/rock, or jazz styles and has been maintaining a large private studio for the past few years. He is an active performer with ODU Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Jazz Choir, Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo, various area bands, and the local jazz trio "Moodswing." He is a regular performer at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront at Virginia Legends/Beach Street USA . Steve’s private instructors are Dr. Anibal Acosta and Chris White.

GEORGE CORBETT—OBOE, ENGLISH HORN

George Corbett is a graduate of Eastman School of Music and New England Conservatory and has been on faculties of notable schools such as Lehigh University (Pennsylvania), Moravian College and Music Institute (Pennsylvania), and has appeared during the summer at Kinhaven Music School (Vermont), Summertrios (New York), Music at Gretna (Pennsylvania), and the American Institute of Musical Studies (Austria). As a clinician, Mr. Corbett teaches audition/performance enhancement workshops combined with specialized breathing techniques in seminars both in the United States and Europe. He serves on the faculty of Old Dominion University's Community Music Academy as well as the Governor's School for the Arts and has created a day camp for young oboists, Oboe Holiday 2006.

George is English hornist and oboist with Virginia's premier ensemble, The Virginia Symphony, under the baton of JoAnn Falletta. Previously, he has maintained positions as principal oboist with Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and Riverside Symphonia in addition to being English hornist with The Harrisburg Symphony (all in Pennsylvania).

ROY MUTH

Trumpet

A graduate of the US Armed Forces School of Music as well as Old Dominion University, Roy Muth comes to the Community Music Division with an extensive music background. An active performer with the area symphonies, brass quintets, Virginia Chorale Society, weddings and church services, and a variety of music productions. Mr. Muth teaches for area colleges and has performed with greats like Tony Bennett, Tommy Newsom, the Temptations, Barry Manilow and a variety of other talents.

KATHERINE LAKOSKI
Voice

Katherine Lakoski has a Master's Degree from The Juilliard School in New York City. She has appeared with the Spoleto Festival (USA), Seattle Opera Association, Surry Opera Company, Aspen Music Festival, Lake George Opera Festival, and has performed with the Columbus Symphony.
Ms. Lakoski also sang the role of the Phoenix Bird in the Emmy Award winning movie "Big Bird in China."
Ms. Lakoski has been teaching private voice since 1983. Having studied several techniques for over 25 years, she now teaches the Swedish-Italian technique also taught by David Jones and his mentor, Alan Lindquest.
She is herself an accomplished teacher with an instinctive ability to perceive the areas in which a student needs attention and the ability to guide and coach the student to improve his or her technique.  She inspires her students to develop with joy and positive support while sharing her love of music. Ms. Lakoski also is an accomplished pianist and organist.

ROBERT FORD 
Trombone
 

LORI BRUZZESI
Piano

Lori has been teaching piano for over twenty years. She began piano study at age nine and studied with Mary Sellers through her high school years. Following high school, she attended Old Dominion University where she graduated Magna cum laude under the instruction of Eliot Breneiser and Elizabeth Pappas. Lori began her teaching career at the Music Staff in Chesapeake and has also taught at the Center of Music and the VNK Music Studio in Virginia Beach. She currently runs a busy studio in her home and enjoys teaching students of all ages. Lori is active in the National Guild of Piano Teachers and the Music Teachers National Association. In addition, she is the current chairman of Levels of Progress for the Tidewater Music Teachers Forum, as well as president-elect. The Tidewater Music Teachers Forum is the local affiliate of the Music Teachers National Association.

SHIRLEY THOMPSON

OPERA FOR EVERYONE & VOICE

LAWRENCE WEINTRAUB

Clarinet, Saxophone, Jazz